Professional indemnity

Our national team understands that a negligence claim against a professional requires sensitive and careful handling given the significant reputational risks involved. Our experienced team of professional indemnity lawyers work closely with our client from the moment we are instructed to gain an understanding of their views on the claim, as well as the commercial considerations in play so that we can form a strategy that leads to a good outcome for our client and their insurer.

Our lawyers are experts in the professional services sectors in which they operate, allowing them to quickly identify the most pragmatic and commercial solutions to claims.

For over 35 years we have acted for insurers and indemnifiers of a wide range of professions. Our claims defence expertise includes acting on behalf of traditional professionals, including solicitors, accountants, surveyors, architects, construction professionals, insurance brokers and other financial services professionals. We also have significant expertise in representing IT professionals, management consultants, recruitment agencies, health and safety professionals and agronomists.

In addition to our claims defence work, the team regularly advises clients on institute ‘minimum terms’, coverage and indemnity disputes, policy drafting, fraud and dishonesty investigations, and professional disciplinary enquiries. The team uses its specialist experience to inform the value-added risk management support we provide to our professional clients and to professional indemnity underwriters.

Our clients regard us as an extension of their own team; whether we are working with insurers on innovative new products, building bespoke delegated authority claims handling solutions, helping insurers win new business by attending risk presentations, or working with claims teams in mapping exposure to high value liabilities across entire books of business.

Broker claim resolution

Advising a global insurance intermediary on its largest ever professional negligence claim. Working in collaboration with the client’s in-house team and reporting to the board, achieving a favourable early resolution.

Striking out claim against solicitors

Successfully defended a firm of solicitors against a multi-million-pound loss of chance claim arising out of its allegedly negligent handling of a corporate transaction on behalf of the claimant.

Defended estate and letting agent

The team successfully defended a claim for discrimination brought by a prospective tenant under the Equality Act against an estate and letting agent.

Financial Institution professional indemnity

Acting for a bank and its insurer, we achieved a very favourable early resolution of a £10m+ claim relating to allegedly negligent interest rate hedging product advice.

Corporate legal liability

Coverage disputes and policy interpretation

Delegated authority claims resolution

Directors and officers

Employment practices liability claims

Financial crime

Financial institutions

Insurance claims defence

Intellectual property claims

Medical treatment in health

Property damage and business interruption

Regulatory compliance for schools and academy trusts

Claire Cornish

Partner

Marlene Henderson

Partner

Jason Nash

Partner

Gary Oldroyd

Partner

Nik Carle

Partner

Ed Anderson

Partner

Michael Appleby

Partner

Helen O'Dwyer

Partner

Jonathan Newbold

Partner

Danielle De Val

Legal Director

Legal 500 2022

"What makes this practice stand out for us is the level of service we receive and the level of trust that we can place our work and it will be carried out to the very best standard. They really understand our business and continue to offer outstanding support."

Legal 500 2022

"A firm that can go toe-to-toe with the best of the magic circle in insurance and prof neg matters. Expertise on the law runs through all levels, and the collaborative nature of the partnership and teams means that particularly on the larger cases, one gets excellent service across the board, with a sound strategy."

Chambers 2022